President of Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Bulat Utemuratov said via Google Translation, “Promotion and development of tennis in Kazakhstan – the basic objective of our Federation. We are delighted that the stars of world tennis – Rafael Nadal and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – will arrive in Astana with an exhibition match. This visit – an invaluable opportunity for our young tennis players and the younger generation of tennis professionals touch the living legend, get inspiration, and to learn from this legendary master. Tennis fans waiting for a unique show, because every match of the legendary Rafa – this event.”

Nadal hasn’t played a match since losing to Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon fourth round over two months ago. He was scheduled to play in Toronto, Cincinnati and the US Open but all three title defenses were derailed because of a right wrist injury he suffered in practice on July 29.

Nadal is still scheduled to play in Bejing on September 29. There has been no confirmation yet from either Nadal or Tsonga on this match.

The former No. 1 is training on hardcourts and will miss Spain’s Davis Cup tie with Brazil.

Thank you Okiegal! I don’t drink much myself but I won’t let you drink alone!

I don’t believe in a tennis GOAT by the way.

The article doesn’t try to argue for Nadal as greatest, just a very good argument for why Federer is not.

It defines and compares their achievements during a significant four year period when both were in the age range of 22-30 at the same time from mid-2008 to mid-2012 (even including the period when Nadal was injured in 2009).

It is quite clear who achieved much more compared to any other player at the time, not just against each other.

I don’t agree with everything in the article but it was quite a compelling read!

Cheers Okiegal!

(and meow to skeezer who is fun to joke with too! So much tennis knowledge. Hi skeeze, don’t be upset with me ok?)

@Elina…..I don’t get into the GOAT issue myself. All time is a very long time, imo. Maybe greatest of their time would be more fitting. Roger’s achievements are astounding and so are Rafa’s. Maybe Roger is better than every other player on the planet but just not Rafa. Could that be at all possible?? Uh oh goat issue started again. Sean, please forgive……responding to Elina.

What a charming response, Patrick. I don’t see any personal abuse being hurled by Nadal fans, and yet somehow you feel you occupy the moral high ground, despite using phrases like “butt-picking-loving aficionados” and “sneering, filthy animal”. I’m afraid your trollish contribution says far, far more about you than it does about Nadal or his fans. I find it amusing – the extent to which any discussion of Nadal’s achievements has his detractors seething is simply proof that those achievements are real, and valid, and currently are at least the equal of Federer’s. THAT’S what you really hate, and you simply lack the honesty, grace and courage to admit it. Troll on, my friend.

This forum seems to be flooded with new posters or are they old posters with the most unimaginative monikers? One thing is clear, they all belong to the federer cult. They can’t put their point across in any intelligent manner and therefore have to resort to abuse and crudeness. So, what else is new?

TheOneGoat, Nadal was the players’ choice in 2010. The vote is generally rigged in favour of Federer as he is nominated EVERY year by the ATP. Individual players have always said good things about Rafa but I don’t think I have heard any of them say complimentary things about Federer as a person. Some have even said how self cantered and aloof he is.

You are another example of how posters are allowed to openly insult Rafa with no repercussions from the moderator.

Acutally I’m not upset because what you think has no effect on Rafa because he doesn’t know who you are. If you had his fame, money and achievements you wouldn’t be here whistling in the wind to make you feel better. This is your way of getting it of your chest that you don’t like Rafa owning your guy.

Owning? I believe everybody gets “owned” by somebody. Take Nick Krygios for example……
Tennis rules are set up so you have to beat a field of players in every tournament played. You don’t get ATP points for playing an Exho. Owning has nothing to do with Tennis’s all time records.

Senorita @ 4:59 am: “Individual players have always said good things about Rafa but I don’t think I have heard any of them say complimentary things about Federer as a person. Some have even said how self cantered and aloof he is.”

Is that why the players have voted for Federer to win the sportsmanship award 9 times while Nadal won only once? I believe the sportsmanship award is better than that award you are most proud of, the “heartthrob” award. I believe it’s a euphemism for “I love butts” award which appropriately should go to whoever draws the most attention to his butt.

Senorita @2:15 pm: “…If you had his fame, money and achievements you wouldn’t be…”

Never invoke the above when you are in a blog where you don’t know anyone. You cannot be sure that nobody here has those things you mentioned in the particular field they are in. Besides, they have no relevance to the discussion of tennis. We are all followers of the game and I think I am right when I say that none of us has the fame, money and achievements of these players we talk about. If we follow your logic, then nobody would have the right to comment on anything.

Okie is still here…..had to take a trolling break, watched my Sooners kick a SEC team…but the Vols are a young team according to Chris Fowler….so not sure how good the Sooners really are…..but time will tell……GO SOONERS, BIG RED!!!

Fedfans are stuck in a poisonous mental prison of jealousy that blinds them to reality. They hate Rafa because they’re jealous of how amazing he is also because Roger can’t find a solution to him as a tennis player.

Opinions are split about who is greater of the two and one side will never be able to convince the other. What is not in dispute is that Rafa leads Roger 23-10 in their h2h and has beaten Roger on all surfaces in slams.

Gosh, turn my back for 2 minutes, only to return to see Andy being air brushed out of tennis history and a very nasty post indeed about Rafa. Have complained to mods about that one, btw. I can hear them snoring from here!
Wake up guys!

@Polo
Disagree. Comments like that cross the line. I would object if any poster had called any player that, tbh. Or any poster actually.
If you stoop to personal abuse of players or posters, you’ve lost the argument in any case.
Or is this the schoolyard?

I watched the clip on the Nadal News website before it was linked on TX. Rafa is a doll, don’t get me wrong, Rafa is cute and Feli is gorgeous. Feli has beautiful piercing eyes. I just happen to think in facial looks, Feli is the best looking…….He doesn’t have near the fans Rafa and Roger have either…..so he probably wouldn’t fair too well in a biased poll…..meaning they both have enormous fan bases…..Rafa is still the best player on the planet, imho! I’m entitled to an opinion……even though it goes against the grain of TX!

It’s nice to see you back on TX. Hope you had a great vacation. Things are the same on TX. I got in in serious trouble a week or so ago. Track it down on an older thread. I am now a hater, but got over it and I hope everyone else did to……any way glad your back home and rested!

Have to say Robredo is also incredibly good looking,never really paid that much attention before,hi Okiegal yeah lovely break thanks,your not a hater,people here can sometimes get hold of the wrong end of the stick,everyone here knows you better than that,im sure you were just misinterpreted,what was the thread name,and ill have a look just out of curiosity?

@Margot……yeah, Andy is deemed a nobody all of a sudden. People on TX never cease to amaze me. Sometimes I can’t believe what I read on here. Andy has been one of the big four imo……so he’s had a setback, back is still an issue in the 5 set format, to my way of thinking. Don’t stay away so long…I needed some help! Lol

@OK
Rightyho gal….I’M BACK!….;) and guarding your back…and Andy’s…lol am I busy!
@hippy
Bet u were thrilled Kei got to the final. Didn’t he do well? Hope he can maintain that form and not get injured again.

Margot Kei did amazing so pleased for him,sad he ran out of steam and couldnt make it a better final?beating Milos,stan and Novak incredible,i really hope he gets one too at some point,i like Cilic so i cant help but be pleased to see a new player making a breakthrough,wow no Novak,Roger,Andy in the final,i bet nobody saw that one coming that is for sure?

Marin Cilic has just broken through and won his first GS,two new players made their first ever GS final for the first time in years which is amazing,Federer and Nadal will go down in history as arguably the two best players ever?seriously i love Nadal and i do admire and respect the achievements of Federer,but why do they both dominate each and every conversation,surely tennis doesnt begin and end with only these two players?